Real-Money Gaming Ban Criticised by Anupam Mittal

Real-money gaming has come under scrutiny in India, as judge on Shark Tank India, Anupam Mittal, condemned the government’s ban as “moral policing dressed up as policy.” He cautioned that this action could lead to significant losses in tax revenue for the government, while also driving users towards illegal gaming markets.

In a recent Linkedin post, Mittal expressed his disapproval of the prohibition on real-money games, citing ineffective prohibitions on other products, such as gutka. He questioned the effectiveness of the ban: “We banned gutka but have people stopped chewing?” He then highlighted the substantial economic impact of the gaming sector.

Economic Contributions of the Gaming Sector

Mittal pointed out that the real-money gaming industry currently contributes ₹27,000 crore in GST, generates over ₹10,000 crore in advertising revenue, and provides thousands of individuals with legitimate livelihoods in skill-based games. He contended that concerns over addiction and financial issues do not justify an outright ban. “Do we ban alcohol because some become alcoholics? Do we ban stock trading because some blow up their savings?” he questioned.

Consequences of Gaming Bans

According to Mittal, bans often have adverse effects: “The government loses revenue. Users lose protection. Black markets thrive.” He highlighted the existence of an estimated ₹8.3 lakh crore illegal gaming market as a clear indication of the inherent risks.

In the short term, Mittal remarked that the policy “feels like we’ve shot ourselves in the foot.” He expressed optimism that e-sports and platforms based on skills might find advantages in the long term, yet he questioned the motivations behind the crackdown. “Let’s be honest,” he noted, “right now it looks like moral policing dressed up as policy.”

He concluded his remarks with a critical stance on government overreach: “Hope we’re not trying to out-ban China.”